Zuckerberg defends the role of counter-power of internet and Facebook

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg once again defended his critically-criticized network on Monday, saying the internet and social networks are being over-criticized for being an indispensable counter-power.

“Before the internet (…), if you wanted to draw attention to a subject, you usually had to address politicians or the press, someone with power to spread your message,” wrote Mr. Zuckerberg Monday in a long text published on his profile on the occasion of the 15 years of Facebook.

Similarly, if an advertiser wanted to reach new customers, he “often had to buy (spaces) expensive advertising,” he added.

It was therefore necessary to go through “vast hierarchical institutions – governments, media (traditional), universities, religious organizations – stable but often distant and inaccessible”, he continued, adding that he was then “more difficult “to” start something or spread a new idea without the blessing of these institutions “.

“Today, we can get in touch with everyone and speak up. Without having to go through existing institutions, in the same way “as before, insists the boss of Facebook, under the fire of the critics for two years around its management of personal data or its inability to limit the proliferation of hate content enough , false information and other manipulations.

But “as networks replace traditional hierarchies and redraw many institutions in our society – governments, businesses, the media and others – there is a tendency on the part of some to complain about this change. to exaggerate the negative, and sometimes to go so far as to say that empowering people like the internet and these networks is mainly harmful to society and democracy, “he says.

“On the contrary, even if any rapid societal change creates uncertainty, I think what we see is that people have more power, and in the long run, redesign society to be more open and more responsible over time, “he further argued, recognizing also, according to his usual rhetoric, that it creates” new challenges and responsibilities “for internet players and social networks.

“We are still at the beginning of this transformation” which “is just beginning,” he says.